Delayed starting indicator apparatus and toy starting system

ABSTRACT

A starting system having a delayed starting indicator apparatus comprised of a housing, a movable indicating element, a resetting element and a premature start indicator mechanism. The indicator apparatus simulates a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Christmas Tree&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; starting device commonly used for drag races. As the movable indicating element drops within the housing in a retarded fashion, spaced, paired openings in the housing make visible a sequential showing of color including a different color to indicate the beginning of the race. The premature start indicator mechanism causes a still different color to appear by offsetting the indicating element. The apparatus is easy to manipulate, simply constructed, rugged, inexpensive to manufacture and exciting to use.

United States Patent [1 1 Tucker, Jr. et al.

1541 DELAYED STARTING INDICATOR APPARATUS AND 'TOY STARTING SYSTEMInventors:

Assignee:

Filed:

Appl. No.:

US. Cl. Int. Cl.

James 1. Tucker, Jr., Manhattan Beach; Joseph 11. Bales, HuntingtonBeach; Denis V. Bosley, Palos Verdes Peninsula; Brian S. Prodger,Torrance; Kurt Ruppel, Redondo Beach; William F. Summerfield, HuntingtonBeach, all of Calif.

Mattel, Inc., Hawthome, Calif.

Jan. 21, 1971 ..46/l K, 273/86 ..A63h 33/00 Field of Search.....46/1 K,202; 273/148 R, 86 B References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Sheldon etal. ..273/86 B Ryan et al ..273/l48 R 1 'Jan. 2, 1973 2,803,922 8/1957Holt ..46/202 2,531,056 11/1950 Koesten ..46/202 Primary Examiner-LouisG. Mancene Assistant Examiner-.l. Q. Lever AttorneySeymour A. Scholnick[57] ABSTRACT A starting system having a delayed starting indicatorapparatus comprised of a housing, a movable indicating eleme'nt,aresetting element and a premature start indicator mechanism. Theindicator apparatus simulates a Christmas Tree starting device commonlyused for drag races. As the movable indicating element drops within thehousing in a retarded fashion, spaced, paired openings in the housingmake visible a sequential showing of color including a different colorto indicate the beginning of the race. The premature start indicatormechanism causes a still different color to appear by offsetting theindicating element. The apparatus is easy to manipulate, simplyconstructed, rugged, inexpensive to manufacture and exciting to use.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED M um 3.707.802

SHEET 2 BF 3 H Mill/Z4 ,yrraz/vif DELAYED STARTING INDICATOR APPARATUSAND TOY STARTING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention The present invention relates to a toy vehicle starting systemand, more particularly, to a starting system having a delayed startingindicator apparatus simulating a real race starting mechanism, commonlyreferred to as a Christmas Tree starting mechanism. The apparatus issimply constructed and inexpensive to manufacture and includesprovisions forindicating a premature start of one of the racingvehicles.

2. Description of the Prior Art Small toy vehicles have becomeexceedingly popular among small children. These vehicles are usuallysold in sets including extruded synthetic resin track sections whichallow various track layouts to be constructed. A very popular form oftoy vehicles are miniature automobiles having metal bodies and riding onfreely rotatable wheels, as more clearly described in US. Pat. No.3,510,981 to H. W. La Branche et al. The track sections are of brightlycolored material having a running surface and two oppositely disposedguide flanges for guiding the toy vehicle along the running surface. Thetrack sections also include depending flanges which provide achannel-shaped receptacle for receiving track section connectors toallow easy connection of abutting track sections. The track system isexemplified by US. Pat. No. 3,487,999 to A. W. B. Nash et al. Morerecently, a newer self-powered toy vehicle has appeared. Byself-powered, it is meant a vehicle with a small motor directlyconnected to the rear wheels and a small rechargeable battery forenergizing the motor.

The combination of small toy vehicles with freely rotatable wheels andespecially self-powered vehicles and various shaped track sections makefor an extremely exciting toy vehicle system. Frequently, added to thissystem are various accessories, such as curves, loops, starting gates,finish gates, speed indicators, lap counters, power boosters etc. Inorder to increase excitement and to offer greater versatility toimaginative children, endeavors are being made to provide additionalaccessories. For example, attention has been drawn to the racing fieldwhich over the years has become an exciting spectator sport. Automobileracing of the type exemplified by the Indianapolis 500 race and the LeMans road race offer an example of exciting long distance automobileracing. Another and more recent example is the short distance drag race.In this type of race, vehicles are raced down a measured relativelyshort course with the winner being that car which first crosses thefinish line after accelerating from a stopped idling position.

Of course, it is to be understood that to be commercially successfulwith any new accessory, it is required that the accessory be simplyconstructed, rugged and adaptable to inexpensive manufacturing andpackaging processes so as to insure mass marketing at a reasonable cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an exciting toywhile fulfulling the objectives mentioned hereinabove by furnishing astarting system comprising a toy vehicle launcher; and a delayedstarting indicator apparatus connected to the launcher. In more detail,the delayed starting indicator apparatus comprises means movable betweenfirst and second positions for providing a starting signal; and ahousing, including guide means for guiding and retarding the signalproviding means between the first and second positions. In a preferredembodiment, the delayed starting indicator includes means mounted to thehousing for moving the signal providing means from the second positionto the first position and means connected to the housing responsive to apremature start for causing an indication of a premature start.

It is the general aim of the present invention to provide a toy vehiclestarting system which is exciting,

simply constructed and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a toy vehiclestarting system which is rugged, reliable and closely analogous to thestarting system of a real race.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a delayedstarting indicator apparatus which is simply constructed, has few movingparts, inexpensive to manufacture and yet closely simulates a realracing starting mechanism, as exemplified by those used for drag racing.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of adelayed starting indicator apparatus illustrating the front portion ofthe apparatus,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle starting system, includinga delayed starting indicator apparatus and a toy vehicle launcher.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevational view, partially explodedtaken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional elevational view taken along line 5-5 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partially borken away sectional elevational view of thedelayed starting indicator apparatus in a resetting process.

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevational view of the delayed starting indicatorapparatus in operation.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional elevational view of a portion of theFIG. 7 view illustrating the position of an indicating element in asecond position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT While the present invention issusceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, anillustrative embodiment is shown in the drawings and will herein bedescribed in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is notthe intention to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed;but, on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,equivalents and alternative constructions falling within the spirit andscope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a delayed startingindicator apparatus comprising a housing 12 having a front surface 14and a resetting element 16. The front surface 14 includes a number ofpaired openings, such as the pairs 18 and 20, 22 and 24, 26 and 28, and30 and 32, which are generally aligned, except for the pair 30, 32, andvertically spaced. The indicator apparatus 10 is to simulate a real dragrace type starting mechanism, commonly known as a Christmas Tree. Thereal drag race starting mechanism has an upright platform, including anumber of vertically aligned lights which are flashed in sequencestarting with the uppermost lights and descending to the lowermostlights. When the lowermost lights are reached, the race is to begin.Usually the lights above the lowermost lights are of a particular color,while the lowermost light is of another color; for example, thepreparation lights may be yellow or orange, while the lowermost lightsmay be red or green. The Christmas Tree" offers an unmistakable visualrepresentation of the start of a race for the race drivers as well asfor spectators and provides for a predetermined time for anticipation orpreparation.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated the indicator apparatus 10mounted to a toy vehicle launcher 34. The launcher includes a moldedbase 52 and two preformed vehicle pathways 36 and 38. Correspondingpusher arms 40 and 42 are slideable along the pathways and are activatedby latch mechanisms 44 and 46, respectively. As shown in the broken awayportion of the vehicle path 38, the pusher arm 42 has a hook portion 48which is connected to an elastic band 50. The elastic band provides thenecessary force to the pusher arms to cause movement and therebylaunches a vehicle. The elastic band is also attached to the underside(not shown) of the base 52. The latch mechanism 46 retains the pusherarm 42 in the position shown after the pusher arm has been moved by anoperator against the biasing force of the elastic band. Knobs 54 and 56are provided for changing the tautness of the elastic bands and therebythe force available to the pusher arms.

In operation, toy vehicles, such as small toy automobiles, arepositioned on the paths 36 and 38 adjacent the pusher arms 40 and 42.Upon the proper signal being given by the indicator apparatus 10,operators depress the activating mechanisms 44 and 46 to cause thepusher arms 40 and 42 to come under the influence of their respectiveelastic bands. Previous to the start of the race, track sections such asa track section 58 extend away from each of the pathways 36 and 38 andform a predetermined race course. In this way, the excitement of a dragrace, for example, may be simulated. A fuller description of the toyvehicle launcher is contained in a copending application titled TOYHILL-CLIMBING SYSTEM" assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

One of the objectives of the indicator apparatus is to allow one of therace participants to operate a mechanical starting mechanism withoutinterfering with the participant's ability to engage in the race; thus,the indicator apparatus has a delaying action to allow preparation andto offer a sequenced get ready" prior to the signal indicating the startof the race. Because the starting system is a toy, it is a major aspectof the present invention to not only simulate a real delayed actionstarting mechanism, but to do so with a simply constructed yet ruggedstructure. In addition, the system and the indicator apparatus, inparticular, are inexpensive to manufacture, easy to package and veryeasy to manipulate.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the indicator apparatus 10 is shown inmore detail. The housing 12 includes a front portion 59 and a backportion 60 with back surface 61 having a series of guide walls, such asparallel vertical guide wall 62 and guide wall sections 64, 66 and 68.Positioned between these guides walls are an irregular pattern of guidewall segments 70 which are of a lesser height than the guide walls, asmore readily seen in FIG. 5. The guide walls and guide wall segmentsfunction as cam surfaces as will be described hereinbelow.

The indicator apparatus also includes a movable indicating element 72having a display surface 74, which is more readily seen in FIG. 8, andtwo bearing elements to act as cam followers, projecting pin 76 andprojecting ring 78. Two abutment walls 80 and 82 are also part of theindicating element. Referring to FIG. 8, the display surface 74 ispreferably of a first color such as yellow with four circular regions ofa different color. For example, at a first level parallel with andspaced from a bottom edge 75 of the indicating element are twooppositely disposed regions 84 and 86 of red; at a second level are twooppositely disposed regions 88 and 90 of green. The cam follower pin 76and ring 78 cooperate with the guide walls and guide wall segments toposition the colored display surface so as to be viewable through theopenings in the front surface 14, FIG. 1, of the housing.

The indicating element 72 is movable from a first or upper positionwhere the indicating element is positioned at the top portion 92, FIG.3, of the housing to a second or lower position where the indicatingelement is nearer a bottom portion 94 of the housing, as indicated indotted line in FIG. 3. To accomplish the retardation desired there is acooperation between the pin and ring of the indicating element and theguide walls and guide wall segments of the housing. As the indicatingelement is moved in a retarded fashion from its upper position to itslower position, the desired colors are sequentially visible through thepaired openings in the housing. This movement is accomplished simply bythe force of gravity. To set the indicating element in its upperposition, however, a resetting element is provided. The resettingelement includes a handle 102, two elongated L-shaped support and guidemembers 104 and 106 which are constrained by the housing to a verticalmovement, and an engagement bar 108 for engaging the cam follower ring78. As is readily apparent, the resetting element is slideable relativethe housing simply by having an operator lift on the handle portion 102to raise the resetting element relative the housing as shown in FIG. 6.

Mounted at the bottom portion 94 of the housing is a symmetrically bentwire 110 having two upwardly disposed legs 112 and 114. As seen in FIG.3, the legs act as a support and motion limiter for the indicatingelement when in its lower position selectively engaging the abutmentwalls 82 and 80, respectively. Mounting of the wire 110 is accomplishedby providing a channelshaped wall portion 116 of the housing havingoppositely disposed projecting tabs 118 and 120 to lock the centerportion of the wire in place. Flange walls 122 and 124 keep the legs 112and 114 in place. The wire is responsive to the activation of thelauncher, so that should one or both pusher arms be prematurelyactivated, one or both of the legs 112, 114 will be biased so as toallow the indicating element to be disposed in an alternate lowerposition. As will be noted in FIG. 3, each of the pusher arms 40 and 42are integral with a laterally projecting cam surface 130 and 132,respectively, which may also be seen in dotted line in FIG. 2. Uponpremature release of a pusher arm, the pusher arm and its lateral camsurface will abut the leg of the wire and cause the leg to deflect, suchas shown in FIG.

3 where the leg 112 is shown in its deflected position in dotted line.In this position, the leg 112 will not engage the abutment wall 82. Ifthe pusher arm is not prematurely activated, then engagement of the legsand the abutment walls will occur; as the pusher arm moves past thelegs, the legs will simply deflect. The housing also includes aconnector portion 115, FIG. 5, having two lateral flanges 117 and 119and shoulders 121 and 123 for being received within a formed opening(not shown) in the base 52, FIG. 2 of the launcher so that a secureengagement between the launcher and the indicator apparatus is achieved.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 6, 7 and 8, the operation of the indicatorapparatus will be described. In an at rest or non-use position, theindicator element 12 will be situated as shown in dotted line in FIG. 3in its lower position When it is desired to start a race, the handle 102of the resetting element 100 is lifted so as to have the engagement bar108 of the resetting element engage the ring 78 of the indicatingelement as seen in FIG. 6. Initially, the pin 76 is situated in atriangularshaped region 140. As the engagement bar 108 lifts theindicating element, the ring 78 is constrained to move between the guidewall sections 64 and 66; the pin meanwhile is directed along a narrowpathway 142 between guide wall segments 144 and 146. As liftingcontinues, the pin 76 enters a region 148 where the pathway divides intotwo direction. Because of. a blocking tip 150, the pin will follow apathway 152, as indicated by the ascending arrows, so as to beconstrained between the guide wall section 66 and a guide wall segment154. At the same time, the indicating element is tilted to the positionshown in FIG. 6. The pin 76 continues along the path 152 until itreaches a region 156 where it is directed once again to a verticalalignment with the ring 78. This is the upper or first position of theindicating element and is reached relatively quickly by the indicatingelement along a relative direct path just described.

The resetting element 100 is then released and allowed to return to theposition shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 due to the gravitational force exertedupon it. Once the bar 108 no longer supports the ring, the indicatingelement will start to descend by first engaging a guide wall segment 70asliding along the segment until engagement with a guide wall segment70b, as indicated by the descending arrows. The pin continues to slideand drop, as indicated by the arrows, to the following guide wallsegments 70c, 70d, 70e, 70f (see dotted portion of FIG. 7), 70g, 70):,701', 70 70k and 146. The pin then enters the pathway 142. During thistime, the ring 78 is constrained between the guide wall 62 and the guidewall sections 66 and 64, so that as the pin moves along its irregularpath causing the pin to misalign vertically from the ring, theindicating element tilts or cants to one side and then to the other asit proceeds down the housing (see FIG. 7). This takes a relatively longtime as the indicating element moves along the path just described.Meanwhile, visible through the paired openings 18, 20; 22, 24; and 26,28, in sequence, is a colored (yellow) surface which will be portions ofthe display surface 74, FIG. 8, of the indicating element. If the toyvehicle launcher has not been prematurely activated, then the indicatingelement will continue dropping until it reaches its lower positionindicated by the dotted line in FIG. 3 where the abutment surfaces 82and 80 are supported respectively by the legs 112 and 114 of the wire110. When this is the situation, the green colored regions 88 and 90will be visible through the paired openings 30, 32 indicating the raceis to begin. However, should one of the operators prematurely activateshis pusher arm, then one or the other of the legs 112, 114 will havebeen moved so as to misalign with the abutment surface of the indicatingelement. For example, in FIG. 7, the leg 114 is being biased by thelateral arm 132 (depicted by the arrow 147), so that the leg does notengage with the abutment surface 80 as shown in FIG. 8. In thissituation, the indicating element tilts in an alternative lowerposition, so that the red region 86 appears at the same vertical heightas the green pattern 88 and is visible through the opening 32, FIG. 1.Thus, an indication is made to the operators that the pusher arm 142 hasbeen prematurely activated and there was a false start. In a likemanner, if the arm 112 had been biased, as shown in phantom line in FIG.3, then the indicating element 12 would have tilted in an oppositedirection so that the red region 84, FIG. 8, is visible through theopening 30, FIG. 1. If both operators activate prematurely, then theindicating element will drop in a level manner, so that the pin 76engages a groove 160, FIG. 8, of a guide wall segment 162. In thisalternate lower position, both of the red regions 84 and 86 are alignedwith the openings 3.0 and 32 to indicate a premature or false start onthe part of both operators.

In operation of the system, a toy vehicle is placed on each of the paths36 and 38 after a track system has been laid out to determine the courseof the race; the pusher arms 40 and 42 are latched to the latchingmechanisms 44 and 46, respectively. One of the operators lifts thehandle 102 moving the indicating element to its upper position and thenreleases the handle 102 to allow the indicating element to make aretarded return to its lower position. The return takes two to threeseconds. In the meantime, each operator is able to visually see a yellowindication appear sequentially in the paired openings 18 and 20, then inthe paired openings 22 and 24, and then in the paired openings 26 and28. By the same token, the delayed start allows the operator who hasactivated the indicator apparatus to prepare for the start of the race.When the indicating element has reached its lower position, a signalwill be viewed through the lower paired openings 30 and 32 which willindicate the start of the race provided there has not been a prematurestart. Thus, the two green regions will be visible. As mentioned,however, should there have been a premature start, then a red regionwill be visible on that side of the system having the premature start.

What has been described is a simply constructed yet rugged and easilyoperated delayed starting indicator apparatus and starting system whichis inexpensively manufactured and packaged. The indicator apparatuscomprises in a preferred embodiment five parts, the two sections of thehousing, the resetting element, the indicating element and the wire. Thehousing, the resetting element and the indicating element may be of asuitable molded synthetic resin, such as polystyrene, so that all of thecomplex functions performed provide no manufacturing difficulties sincethe portions of the apparatus can be molded integrally. Thus, the pin 76and ring 78 are integral with the display surface 74 and the abutmentwalls 80 and 82; the guide walls and guide wall segments are integralwith the back portion of the housing.

We claim:

1. A toy vehicle timer and launching system comprismg:

a toy vehicle launcher comprised of:

a supporting base, including a pathway;

a pusher arm slideably connected to said supporting base and movablealong said pathway for engaging a toy vehicle;

an elastic band connected to said supporting base and to said engagingmeans for imparting motion to said engaging means; and

means for latching said pusher arm to selectively prevent movement ofsaid pusher arm; and

a delayed starting indicator apparatus connected to said toy vehiclelauncher and comprised of:

an indicating element having a display surface of various colors movablebetween a first and second positions; housing having a front surfacewith spaced openings for sequentially viewing said display surface, anda back surface with guide means for directing and retarding movement ofsaid indicating element as it travels from said first position to saidsecond position;

a resetting element including a handle to activate said resettingelement and a bar to engage said indicating element, said indicatingelement movable from said first position to said second position by theforce of gravity and movable from said second position by the force ofgravity and movable from said second position to said first position bythe movement of said resetting element; and a movable motion limiter foraltering said indicating elements second position upon engagement ofsaid toy vehicle launcher with said movable motion limiter. 2. A toyvehicle timer and launching system comprismg:

a toy vehicle launcher; and a delayed starging indicator apparatusconnected to said toy vehicle launcher and comprised of: an indicatingelement having a display surface of various colors movable between afirst and eco d ositi ns; iious ing having a front surface with spacedopenings for sequentially viewing said display surface, and a backsurface with guide means for directing and retarding movement of saidindicating element as it travels from said first position to said secondposition;

a resetting element including a handle to activate said resettingelement and a bar to engage said indicating element, said indicatingelement movable from said first position to said second position by theforce of gravity and movable from said second position by the force ofgravity and movable from said second position to said first position bythe movement of said resetting element; and

a movable motion limiter for altering said indicating elements secondposition upon engagement of said toy vehicle launcher with said movablemotion limiter.

3. A toy vehicle timer and launching system comprismg:

a toy vehicle launcher comprised of:

a supporting base, including a pathway;

a pusher arm slideably connected to said supporting base and movablealong said pathway for engaging a toy vehicle;

an elastic band connected to said supporting base and to said engagingmeans for imparting motion to said engaging means; and

means for latching said pusher arm to selectively prevent movement ofsaid pusher arm; and

a delayed starting indicator for providing first and second indicia,said indicatorv connected to said toy vehicle launcher and having amovable motion limiter for altering said indicia upon engagement of saidtoy vehicle launcher with said movable motion limiter to display saidsecond indicia.

1. A toy vehicle timer and launching system comprising: a toy vehiclelauncher comprised of: a supporting base, including a pathway; a pusherarm slideably connected to said supporting base and movable along saidpathway for engaging a toy vehicle; an elastic band connected to saidsupporting base and to said engaging means for imparting motion to saidengaging means; and means for latching said pusher arm to selectivelyprevent movement of said pusher arm; and a delayed starting indicatorapparatus connected to said toy vehicle launcher and comprised of: anindicating element having a display surface of various colors movablebetween a first and second positions; a housing having a front surfacewith spaced openings for sequentially viewing said display surface, anda back surface with guide means for directing and retarding movement ofsaid indicating element as it travels from said first position to saidsecond position; a resetting element including a handle to activate saidresetting element and a bar to engage said indicating element, saidindicating element movable from said first position to said secondposition by the force of gravity and movable from said second positionby the force of gravity and movable from said second position to saidfirst position by the movement of said Resetting element; and a movablemotion limiter for altering said indicating element''s second positionupon engagement of said toy vehicle launcher with said movable motionlimiter.
 2. A toy vehicle timer and launching system comprising: a toyvehicle launcher; and a delayed starging indicator apparatus connectedto said toy vehicle launcher and comprised of: an indicating elementhaving a display surface of various colors movable between a first andsecond positions; a housing having a front surface with spaced openingsfor sequentially viewing said display surface, and a back surface withguide means for directing and retarding movement of said indicatingelement as it travels from said first position to said second position;a resetting element including a handle to activate said resettingelement and a bar to engage said indicating element, said indicatingelement movable from said first position to said second position by theforce of gravity and movable from said second position by the force ofgravity and movable from said second position to said first position bythe movement of said resetting element; and a movable motion limiter foraltering said indicating element''s second position upon engagement ofsaid toy vehicle launcher with said movable motion limiter.
 3. A toyvehicle timer and launching system comprising: a toy vehicle launchercomprised of: a supporting base, including a pathway; a pusher armslideably connected to said supporting base and movable along saidpathway for engaging a toy vehicle; an elastic band connected to saidsupporting base and to said engaging means for imparting motion to saidengaging means; and means for latching said pusher arm to selectivelyprevent movement of said pusher arm; and a delayed starting indicatorfor providing first and second indicia, said indicator connected to saidtoy vehicle launcher and having a movable motion limiter for alteringsaid indicia upon engagement of said toy vehicle launcher with saidmovable motion limiter to display said second indicia.